The visit of Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain The First Lady of A J and Kashmir to
Belgium and the Netherlands
6-8, June 2007
Herewith on behalf of Gender Concerns International I
would like to state that it was a matter of great honor for
me to welcome the First Lady Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain
here in the Netherlands and in Belgium. This visit was a
result of an intense work of the past 8 months regarding
the formation of AKWA. The First Lady is active and
interested in encouraging the participation of women in
the reconstruction of post earthquake AJ & Kashmir.
Last autumn we finalized the draft on our Hello Sirs Campaign which aims to highlight the
concerns of women in Kashmir region and raise international awareness about it. In that
connection in December 2006, I traveled to Muzaffarabad and met among other officials with
the Prime Minister Mr. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan of AJK. The Prime Minister promotes
green and skilled Kashmir for all people in Kashmir and especially for its women. In that meeting the
Prime Minister advised me to meet with Mrs. President Zulqarnain, the First Lady of AJK. It
is within this context that the idea of All Kashmir Women’s Association’ (AKWA) was
emerged. The visit of the First Lady to Europe furthers the targets of Hello Sirs Campaign.
I am pleased to present a summarized report of this valuable visit in the following pages but
prior to this, here below, a brief sketch of our prime activities regarding the Gender Concerns
in Kashmir region.
Thank you
Drs. Sabra Bano
Director
Prime Minister of AJ Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan
Sabra Bano & Women in Srinagar 2005
Sabra Bano and Women in AJ Kashmir 2006
The Hague, 2004, organized a meeting with Kashmiri women from Srinagar
Srinagar, September 2005, an International Women Sharing Experience Interaction
Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Jandala, October-November 2005, earthquake related Dutch Gender Consultancy Mission
Belgium and the Netherlands, April 2006, organizing a visit of some young women from the earthquake affected areas of Pakistan and Kashmir.
Muzaffarabad, 2006, supporting First Step Tent School in Muzaffarabad
Azad Kashmir, 2006, meeting with Prime Minister, the First Lady, representatives of women NGOs and women in many tent shelters
Brussels, January 2007, meeting Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and requesting reassurance of his support for AKWA initiative
Belgium and the Netherlands, June 2007, facilitating the visit of the First Lady
The Hague University, June 2007, The Paradise Turned to Hell: Supporting Final Integrated Project by the students of The Hague University.
Women Interaction, Srinagar 2005
Brussels, Belgium Discussion Forum: Women Human Rights and Duties
June 6th 2007
Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain, Sabra Bano and Somine Susskind at Amazone Women Center in Brussels, Belgium
Discussion Forum at the Amazone Women Center in Brussels, Belgium
We thank Gemeente The Hague
for its warm and valuable support to us regarding this visit
We thank Mr. G. Dijkstra and Mr. B. Lagerwaard at the International Department and
are truly grateful to Mr. G. Dogan from OCW Department
The Hague, Netherlands Public Meeting: Gender Justice and Peace in Kashmir
June 7th 2007
At the City Hall Vice Mayor Mr. Sander Dekker welcomes the First Lady Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain
The Hague, Netherlands
The First Lady Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain is received by Mr. Tom Horn the Alderman of County
Haarlemmermeer
The First Lady adapting an apple tree Olmenhorst Estate
Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands The Prospect of Cooperation
June 7th 2007
The First Lady Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain
is received by Mr. Tom Horn
The Alderman of County Haarlemmermeer
The First Lady Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain
is received by Mr. Tom Horn
The Alderman of County Haarlemmermeer
The First Lady with some inspiring women from Haarlemmermeer
Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain at a lunch meeting
Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands The Prospect of Cooperation
June 7th 2007
Mrs. Fakhriya Zulqarnain speaking about the Millennium Development Goals In the Theater Foyer Diligentia in The Hague
The Hague, Netherlands MDGs and the Challenges of Earthquake Reconstruction
June 7th 2007
Sabra Bano, director of Gender Concerns speaking about UN Resolution 1325 and its relevance to the Kashmir Conflict, at the Theater
Diligentia in The Hague.
Mrs. Simone Filippini Head Directorate Emancipation (DSI/ER) during the questions and answers session
The audience at the Diligentia Theater
The Hague, Netherlands MDGs and the Challenges of Earthquake Reconstruction
June 7th 2007
Thank You Mr. President Honorable Mr. Zulqarnain
Schiphol Airport (Left to right) Sabra Bano, Mrs. President, Mr. President, W. Heitlager,
Mrs. Yasmeen Khan, Mr. Z.U. Khan (Advisor to the president) and Nawal Qazi Heitlager
Gender Concerns International was honored to welcome His Excellency President Zulqarnain in the Netherlands.
This was a private visit but we managed to have reassurance
from Mr. President AJK regarding his personal attention to the women and development issue in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Gender Concerns International
Director: Sabra Bano
Laan van Meerdervoort 70
2517 AN, The Hague
Netherlands.
T: +31 (0) 70 - 4445082
F: + 31 (0) 70 - 4445083
W: www.genderconcerns.nl
KvK: The Hague
Reg. No. 342 027 38
Bank: ABNAMRO
Account No: 5799 47 262
Iban: NL 54 ABNA0579947262
Report by
Francis Márquez
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